Energy procurement and EV charging for schools and trusts
Schools and academy trusts buy energy under their own rules and have their own grant for EV charging. This page sets out the options for both.
Energy contracts: three routes
Since 1 October 2026, the Academy Trust Handbook has set out how trusts must buy energy when a contract is renewed.
- DfE Energy for Schools. The Department’s own contract, free to join.
- A DfE-approved deal. Frameworks from LASER, West Mercia Energy and YPO.
- Your own tender. Permitted where the trust can show comparable value.
Ovia Group runs the third route and compares the result against the first, so trustees see both sets of prices before deciding. Where the DfE contract is the better answer, we will say so. Local authority maintained schools can use the same routes.
How we run energy procurementEV charging: the Workplace Charging Scheme
State-funded schools can claim 75% of the cost of buying and installing chargepoints, up to £2,000 per socket and 40 sockets. Academy trusts can claim up to 40 sockets for each school. The scheme closes on 31 March 2027.
We survey the site first to confirm its electrical capacity. The school applies for its voucher, which is valid for 180 days, and we install within that window. The grant is deducted from the invoice, the school owns the chargers, and a maintenance agreement keeps them working.
Ovia Group is an OZEV Authorised Installer Representative (WCS14595). Our installation partner, Harlan Electrical, has installed more than 400 chargers.
How we install EV chargingIndependent schools
The Academy Trust Handbook does not apply to independent schools, so a tender is open to you directly. For charging, the standard Workplace Charging Scheme grant applies.
Start with a conversation.
Every enquiry is handled in confidence.